PUBLIC HEARING: SB 414

TAPES 75 A

005

Chair Deckert

Calls meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.

PUBLIC HEARING, SB 414

010

Steve Meyer

Gives overview of SB 414 (EXHIBIT 1). Increases the school equalization formula weight for full-day kindergarten students from ½ to 1. Modifies the remote small elementary school weight to include kindergarten students. Cost shift is approximately $7.6 million.

028

Sen. Charlie Ringo

Testifies in favor of SB 414. See Extended Day Kindergarten: The Research (EXHIBIT 2); and Extended Day Kindergarten: The Benefits (EXHIBIT 3). Research indicates that children who don’t get a good early education fall behind by third or fourth grade, and drop out of high school.

043

Sen. Ringo

The question is how to pay for full-day kindergarten. Rather than require additional money, consider full-day kindergarten in the funding formula. Giving schools additional revenue from the full-day school fund would be the incentive for them to offer it. Some districts have issues of where to house full-day kindergarten students.

065

Sen. Ringo

There is opposition to this bill because of the question of where the money will come from. It does thin the soup for the other grades, and it’s difficult for school administrators to embrace change. But it makes a crucial difference for children.

072

Rep. Mark Hass

Testifies, the research speaks for itself – 75% of children who cannot read by third grade will drop out of high school. Funding will be available through consolidating Education Service Districts. Questions Meyer about the School Finance Distribution figures. Contents data are obsolete.

107

Vice Chair C. Starr

Expresses concern that children who are the most likely to need all-day kindergarten will be missed.

114

Sen. Ringo

Contends the opposite will occur. For children with more parental involvement, full-day kindergarten is less important.

131

Rep. Hass

Both he and Sen. Ringo have children in kindergarten. Their children have supplemental activities and don’t need a full day. Most parents in Beaverton are single. Their children are the ones who need extra time. It wouldn’t be all day, just 5 hours, up from 2 ½ hours. Paying for a half-day is expensive. In real dollar terms, going a whole day only raises the price 20-30%.

161

Vice Chair C. Starr

Ringo and Hass have missed the point of his question. Because kindergarten isn’t compulsory, the state is missing large numbers of children who need it most.

182

Sen. Ringo

Agrees, compulsory kindergarten is a good idea.

188

Rep. Hass

Agrees, although compulsory kindergarten is a separate issue.

193

Sen. Prozanski

Fears this bill would result in children already with an edge increasing their edge. Also, wonders how to justify moving on this concept when Head Start is getting its budget cut.

210

Sen. Ringo

Head Start is a good investment, but in regard to its return for the dollar, full-day kindergarten seems to be the way to go.

221

Rep. Hass

Wealthy people send their children to private full-day kindergarten. Low income populations are being tended to. It’s the middle class that is missing out.

239

Sen. Metsger

Appreciates the comments on compulsory kindergarten. There may be ways to find dollars for this program without impacting other programs.

260

Chair Deckert

Closes public hearing on SB 414. Announces Thursday’s agenda, PUC recommendations. Committee will begin Thursday at 9 a.m. Adjourns meeting at 8:53 a.m.